The International Schools’ Athletics Meet which commenced in the year 2001 has presently established
itself as the flagship sporting event in the International Schools’ calendar. ISAC 2019 has special
significance for Gateway College who pioneered this meet, as this is the tenth time the school is hosting
this gigantic event.

The International Schools’ Athletics Championship is scheduled to be held from 15 - 17 February 2019 at
the Sugathadasa Stadium. The composition of participation will comprise around 1500 athletes from 21
reputed International Schools and 350 technical officials, officiating at the event. A large gathering of
over 15,000 spectators including students, parents and past pupils are expected to attend the
competition. ISAC has progressed to the standard of an International Junior Athletics Competition
particularly with the participation of foreign students. The entire event is fully computerized - from web
based entries to instant results/scores via the internet.
Mrs. Rohini Alles, the Managing Director of the Gateway Group will be the Chief Guest at the Opening
Ceremony which will be held at 8.00 am on Saturday the 16 th while Sri Lanka’s cricketing legend, Mr.
Kumar Sangakkara will grace the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest on Sunday the 17 th of February at
3.00 pm. Ms. Premila Paulraj, Regional Director - Asia, Pearson PLC and Ms. Shea Wickramasingha,
Group Managing Director at CBL Group will be Guests of Honour for the Closing Ceremony.
Dr. Harsha Alles, Chairman of ISAC 2019 and the Chairman of the Gateway Group says, “over the years,
ISAC has become an important event that not only breeds talented athletes but also showcases junior
athletes of international repute. There is no doubt that the event is of national significance. Since the
inaugural competition, the standard of Athletics among International Schools has gradually advanced to
an extent where several athletes have now reached national and international levels, providing much
required competition at the highest levels. Athletes of the caliber of Shelinda Jansen, Sadeepa
Henderson, Sachini Divyanjalee and Kavindu Bandara are a few such examples, he said.
The Principal Sponsors of the event are Pearson Edexcel and Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.
It is encouraging to see an academic awarding body such as Edexcel sponsoring an event of this nature
and contributing to the overall development of pupils to be all-rounders. Students of the majority of
TISSL Member Schools sit the Edexcel examinations (London IGCSE, and AL). Edexcel has always
supported extra-curricular activities of this nature, in its bid to promote healthy minds, accountability,
dedication and leadership. Edexcel has been the Principal Sponsor of the event for the last 9 years.
Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) is one of the fastest growing and largest conglomerates in Si Lanka under
their flagship brand Munchee. Munchee being the No 1 biscuit in the country is well known for
extending continuous support to many sports including the country’s national game volleyball. Ceylon
Biscuits Ltd has come forward to be one of the Principal Sponsors of the 19 th International Schools’
Athletics Championship. Ceylon Biscuits Ltd also sponsors the Sir John Tarbet Inter Schools’ Athletics Meet, the Inter international Schools’ Soccer Tournament and the Junior National Squash Championship to name a few.
The event is also supported by Melwa (Melwire Rolling Pvt Ltd), Airtel, Keells, Elephant House,
Meadowlea, Asiri Health and Gateway Graduate School. Their sponsorships symbolize the commitment
of these organizations towards the development and growth of children and sports.
ISAC 2019 will be conducted in accordance with the TISSL rules and regulations while coming under the
International Athletics Federation Competition Rules, and will include electronic timing and
measurements. The Championship is fully computerized with web based entries and instantly accessible
results and scores via the Internet through the ISAC website www.isaclk.com. Designed and developed
by Gateway Consultancy Services, this website will provide all necessary information including past meet
records and full lists of competitors for this year’s meet. All athletes will carry a common Identity Card
issued by TISSL, the Association of the Member Schools.
TISSL member schools competing in this year’s ISAC are:
1. Asian International School
2. Alethea International School
3. Belvoir College International
4. Burhani Serendib School
5. The British School in Colombo
6. Colombo International School, Colombo
7. Colombo International School, Kandy
8. Elizabeth Moir International School
9. Gateway College, Colombo
10. Gateway College, Kandy
11. Leeds International School
12. Lyceum International School, Nugegoda
13. Lyceum International School, Panadura
14. Lyceum International School, Ratnapura
15. Lyceum International School, Wattala
16. OKI International School
17. Regent International College
18. Royal Institute, Colombo
19. Stafford International School
20. St. Nicholas International College
21. Wycherley International School

'Neville De Alwis – Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy’,

In order to take football to the next level in our country, especially with the tremendous increase in
popularity of the sport, S. Thomas’ College and Gateway College have joined hands to play an annual
encounter which is a popular concept in Sri Lanka. This encounter is the first of its kind, where one of Sri
Lanka’s oldest and leading Private Schools and a Premier International School - one of the youngest in
the island - join hands to build an excellent platform for students with diverse values, cultures and
backgrounds to bond in healthy rivalry and comradeship. The inaugural encounter is scheduled for
Saturday 26 th January, 2019 at the Gateway College, Ratmalana Grounds. This will be the first trophy
game between an International and a Local School in any sport at S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia.

This annual encounter will be played for the 'Neville De Alwis – Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy’, named
after two key personalities connected to the two schools. The late Mr Neville de Alwis served as the 15 th
Warden of S. Thomas’ College from 1983 to 1998 and during his tenure the School witnessed growth
and development in all spheres including academic, extra-curricular activities and infrastructure.
Thomians who graduated during his period of stewardship testify, even today, to his visionary leadership
and outstanding qualities as an educator. The late Mr. Ralph Alles, commenced his journey as a teacher
of Royal College where he served for over 10 years. Mr. Alles did yeoman service to the country as the
Founder Principal of D.S Senanayake College and later functioned as State Secretary of Education.
Remembered by many as one of the finest educators the country has produced, Mr. Alles is also the
Founder of Gateway College.

Due attention will be paid to upcoming talent by including an Under 14 match. With more than four out
of ten people considering themselves football fans, the game’s extraordinary reach into countries and
cultures around the world makes it unequaled among sports. Arrangements are also being made to play
a friendly girls’ game between the girls of Gateway College and Visakha Vidyalaya. These two games will
be played before the main Under 20 match.

This lively and fun-filled event will include a fusion of music and a special collaboration between the
Western Bands of both schools. Special invitees, the Management of both schools, Staff, Past Pupils,
Present Students and Parents are expected to grace this event.

Both S. Thomas’ and Gateway are confident that the journey between the two prestigious institutions
will bring the school communities of both institutions together on and off the field and usher in a new
era of healthy competition strongly supported by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). Both teams
warmly welcome Teachers, Past Pupils, Parents and Students of the schools and all Football lovers of Sri
Lanka to be a part of this memorable encounter.